Today in the Miami Herald Audubon Lobbyist Charles Lee and 1000 Friends of Florida Director Charles Pattison complained about the impending overhaul -- gutting -- of growth management regulations and the Department of Community Affairs. February 11, 2010 I wrote about Florida Hometown Democracy and mentioned both groups that stubbornly refused to support the effort that would have put in the constitution the right of voters to have a say in development decisions. Well, now look what the legislature is doing guys. Would have been better to have something instead of nothing. 1000 Friends of Florida did come around somewhat at the end with a neutral statement but it was too late and, frankly, too odd. Pattison in today's article said:...any changes must preserve the right of citizens and agencies to challenge “inappropriate” local planning decisions. As written, the bills also would narrow the ability of other state agencies, such as water management districts, to review projects.
The failed amendment Florida Hometown Democracy would have preserved the right of citizens...it would have been in the State constitution that Citizens get TO VOTE on developments so the Legislature and the Governor wouldn't have been able to meddle with our vote. Charles Lee is saying now about the legislature's move to adopt changes to our growth management law written by development groups:
“We’re not only throwing the baby out with the bath water, we’re literally ripping the bathtub out of the floor and throwing that out the window, too..."
And, speaking of throwing the baby out with the bath water, the 2.4 billion rejected by our Governor for high speed rail is being bid on by other States. Our loss is their gain. Building the rail would have brought more jobs than dismantling our growth management laws (yes they are saying growth management is a job killer). Vice President Biden said about Scott's move:
"Even if you were doubtful, I don't understand how in this economy in Florida you could walk away from 24,000 high-paying jobs."
Looks like California will probably get the money, maybe Missouri, North Carolina, New York, Maryland, Washington State or Wisconsin. To those States that get OUR earmarked money, I say: Your welcome!
6 comments:
"The failed amendment Florida Hometown Democracy would have preserved the right of citizens...it would have been in the State constitution so the Legislature and the Governor wouldn't have been able to meddle with it."
Right, just like the Class Size Amendment and the Fair Districts Amendments the voters passed... Hey, wait a minute...
My point: Don't kid yourself, it can be in the State's Constitution, or a judge could order it, or the Federal Government can give money to it, and in the end it won't matter because these bozos in Tallahassee will mess with it if they think they have something to gain politically by doing so.
It would be hard for them to meddle with a required VOTE by citizens...but you are right they do seem to find ways around everything in Tallahassee.
Throw Bell out with the bathwater. Rick Scott with lipstick.
How the hell did you make the leap from a blog about State issues and environmental groups to Lynda Bell? Come on, go find your brain this morning.
I recently got a renewal notice for my membership to 1000FOF. I wrote a note that I would not renew because they did not support Hometown Democracy. I have known Charles Pattison for years and generally find him to be a good guy but his organization made a bad call. As I remember, Charles came out at the end of the campaign and "sortta" endorsed FHD.I don't think 1000FOF ever took a position. The silence was defening.
They are working hard on the HB7129. They might not have been right about HTD, but don't bail now. At least they are standing on the right side of the line. Who else is doing that in a big way now? You can count the organizations on one hand.
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